A/C Unit
Elder User
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 977
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
A/C Unit
I am going to be adding A/C to my truck soon and I have both the Factory style of in-cab unit and the kind that attaches to the dash, molded to it. Does anyone have a preference to one or the other? Just trying to decide which in cab unit to use. Thanks for the opinions.
-j.banks-
-j.banks-
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,613
Likes: 6
From: Coal country
A/C Unit
J: I have a '66 with dash A/c, and a '72 with factory A/C. You will find the factory A/C a little more complicated to install, especially if you do not have all the proper levers, cables and etc needed, because the A/C and heater are integrated. If you've got a donor truck, then no problem, it probably is all there.
'66 trucks did not have a factory A/C option, so the dash mount is the only one available. It is easy to set up, and use.
Keep in mind that almost all the work you do on this project under the hood is identical, regardless which one you use.
I recommend you do the extra work and install the factory one, but again, only if you have the correct dash controls, cables and all. In the end, you will prefer it. If you don't have everything, though,it will become very frustrating and discouraging.
Good luck and have fun!
'66 trucks did not have a factory A/C option, so the dash mount is the only one available. It is easy to set up, and use.
Keep in mind that almost all the work you do on this project under the hood is identical, regardless which one you use.
I recommend you do the extra work and install the factory one, but again, only if you have the correct dash controls, cables and all. In the end, you will prefer it. If you don't have everything, though,it will become very frustrating and discouraging.
Good luck and have fun!
Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 3,565
Likes: 9
From: Sun River St. George
A/C Unit
Yep! all of that and radiator/fan/condenser issues related to the fan shroud and the hood release latch. I recommend all Ford engine brackets, pulleys, and tension idler. Route the hoses any way that makes you happy, I like to punch straight through the fire wall on the same side that the compressor in mounted and cross up under the dash to the in cab unit. Vintage Air and others make a nice small unit that fits where the heater is now and replaces it. Their system has smooth operating new controls. The only problem I have with that setup is they do not use outside air and this can cause excessive moisture build up in the cab (foggy windows). They do dry the air in the defrost mode by first air conditioning the air then heating it on the way to the windshield. Let us know how this comes out. I have had problems with the AC in my truck for all the reasons listed above.
William in Atlanta
William in Atlanta
Elder User
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 977
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
A/C Unit
Well, I have the setup that come out of my 72 that was the hang from the dash type. I also have a cab i picked up for parts that has the A/C unit inside it. So I guess it has all the IN cab parts but not the outside parts. But i believe all the parts are the same outside the cab, under the hood, right? Don't want to buy anything new like that vintage parts thing, just use what I got.
-j.banks-
-j.banks-
